8>ttynnl 


Established   1921 


RALEIGH,  N.  C 


Opinions  of 
Patrons 


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^atnt  Ntrljolaa  l^rijonl 


RALEIGH,  N.  C. 


OPINIONS  OF  PATRONS 


The  Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School  de- 
sire to  make  it  an  institution  of  permanent 
and  far-reaching  service;  they  have  faith  in  its 
possibilities ;  they  believe  it  now  affords  to  pa- 
rents unusual  opportunity  to  secure  for  their 
children  the  advantages  of  conscientious  per- 
sonal care,  good  discipline,  and  thorough  in- 
struction. 

This  belief  is  strongly  confirmed  by  the  judg- 
ments of  those  who  have  been  patrons  of  the 
School. 

Mrs.  G.  W.  Alston,  who  is  now  a  patron  of 
the  School  and  has  been  from  the  time  it  began, 
writes : 

My  son  has  attended  Saint  Nicholas  School 
since  it  was  first  begun,  and,  indeed,  Saint 
Nicholas  School  is  the  reason  that  my  home 
is  in  Raleigh.  Dr.  Hughes  is  a  true  teacher, 
and  the  gentlemen  associated  with  him  are  well 
qualified  for  their  work.  They,  as  well  as  the 
Headmaster,  are  highly  esteemed  by  the  boys, 
greatly  to  the  advantage  of  the  boys. 

Laura  June  Alston. 


December  3,  1923. 


Z  2. 


Mrs.  R.  B.  Raney,  who  was  a  patron  of  the 
School  almost  from  the  first  and  for  nearly 
four  years  in  all,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the 
Headmaster  says: 

Raleigh,  N.  C. 

I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  for  the 
excellent  training  of  my  children  at  Saint 
Nicholas  School.  The  surroundings  have  all 
the  essential  influences  that  any  mother  could 
desire  her  children  to  have. 

The  thorough  foundation  they  gained  under 
your  guidance  has  fitted  them  well  for  more 
advanced  work. 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  your  interest  in 
their  behalf. 

With  best  wishes  for  Saint  Nicholas  School, 
I  am 

Sincerely  yours, 

Mrs.  R.  B.  Raney. 


And  here,  from  Mrs.  Kate  Burr  Johnson, 
another  of  the  early  patrons  of  the  School,  is  a 
letter  addressed  to  the  Board  of  Trustees: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
To    the   Board   of   Trustees   of   Saint  Nicholas 
School : 

Both  of  my  boys  were  students  at  Saint 
Nicholas  School,  and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
recommend  it  as  a  result  of  their  experience  in 
the  School. 

Mr.  Hughes,  the  Principal,  seems  to  have  the 
unusual  ability  of  being  able  to  convince  boys 
of  the  necessity  for  serious  and  conscientious 
home   study.     The   contrast   between   the   time 


and  effort  they  spent  on  their  books  while  at- 
tending the  graded  school  and  Saint  Nicholas 
was  striking,  and  entirely  in  favor  of  Saint 
Nicholas.  Consequently  they  made  satisfactory 
progress.  In  addition  to  this,  they  held  the 
Principal  in  sincere  respect  as  a  disciplinarian 
and  real  affection  as  a  friend. 
Very  sincerely, 

Kate  Burr  Johnson. 


Others  who  sent  children  to  Saint  Nicholas 
School  in  its  earliest  days  and  kept  them  there 
for  a  term  of  years  write  letters  of  apprecia- 
tion. 

Mr.  R.  M.  Albright,  a  past  and  present  patron, 
writes  to  the  Headmaster: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  1,  1923. 
It  gives  me  pleasure  to  add  my  name  to  the 
list  of  satisfied  patrons  of  Saint  Nicholas 
School.  My  13-year-old  boy  has  been  attend- 
ing the  School  for  the  past  three  years  and 
with  very  satisfactory  results. 

In  my  opinion,  Saint  Nicholas  School  is  a 
big  asset  to  our  city. 

Sincerely, 

R.  M.  Albright. 


This  next  letter  gives  the  estimate  of  Mr. 
Alexander  Webb,  who  has  had  in  all  three  chil- 
dren in  the  School  and  has  a  son  there  now: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  7,  1923. 
Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School: 

Since  the  beginning  of  Saint  Nicholas  School 
it  has  been  my  privilege  to  patronize  it.     I  have 


had  three  children  enrolled  there  and  am 
patronizing  it  now.  If  I  had  not  been  well 
pleased  with  the  results,  this  patronage  would 
have  been  discontinued.  I  can  unhesitatingly 
recommend  the  work  in  every  respect. 
Very  truly  yours, 

Alexander  Webb. 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hicks  Johnson  has  this  to  say : 

December  3,  1923. 
I  was  a  patron  of  Saint  Nicholas  School  for 
three   years,    and   I   was   greatly   pleased   with 
the   progress   of   my   child   and   consider    Saint 
Nicholas  a  most  thorough  preparatory  school. 
Mrs.  E.  H.  Johnson. 

304  W.  Edenton   Street. 


Mr.  Graham  Andrews  of  the  Citizens  National 
Bank  says  this : 

Raeeigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
I  have  been  a  patron  of  Saint  Nicholas 
School  and  feel  that  the  work  of  my  child 
while  there  was  highly  gratifying.  The 
thorough  instruction  given  at  Saint  Nicholas 
School  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  N.  Collin 
Hughes,  Headmaster,  makes  it  a  pleasure  to 
recommend  it  to  parents  who  desire  to  send 
their  children  to  a  private  school  of  thorough 
teaching.  It  has  been  my  pleasure  to  be  as- 
sociated with  a  number  of  men  who  had  their 
early  boyhood  training  under  Mr.  Hughes' 
direction,  and  he  justly  deserves  the  reputation 
which   he  has   as   a   fine  teacher. 

6 


There  is  a  distinct  place  in  North   Carolina 
for  schools  of  the  type  of  Saint  Nicholas,  and 
I  bespeak  for  it  continued  support. 
Yours  truly, 

G.  H.  Andeews. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gavin  Dortch  were  patrons  for 
three  years  and  sent  two  sons.     They  say : 

Wake  Fokest  Road, 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  write  this 
letter    of    recommendation    of    Saint    Nicholas 
School. 

Our  two  sons  showed  much  improvement  in 
their  studies  while  with  you,  and  we  feel  that 
they  will  carry  throughout  their  lives  the  high 
principles  which  you  instilled  in  them. 

Wishing  Saint  Nicholas  much  success  in  its 
laudable  undertaking. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gavin  H.  Dortch. 


Mrs.  Palmer  Jerman  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Up- 
shaw  sent  their  sons  to  Dr.  Hughes's  School 
before  it  was  merged  into  Saint  Nicholas  School, 
but,  as  the  management  is  the  same  now  as 
then,  their  testimony  is  pertinent. 

Mrs.  Jerman  says : 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  8,  1923. 
My  dear  Mr.  Hughes: 

As  a  patron  of  your  school  I  am  very  glad 
of  an  opportunity  to  express  my  appreciation 
of  its  excellence.  The  training  and  environ- 
ment are  everything  one  could  wish  for  in  the 


preparatory  work  of  boys,  and  there  is  kept 
always  before  them  the  high  standards  of  char- 
acter that  are  essential  to  the  best  type  of 
manhood.  A  great  element  in  the  success  of 
your  school  is  the  amount  of  individual  atten- 
tion each  student  receives.  The  boys  who  are 
passing  through  your  hands  are  a  living  testi- 
mony to  the  thoroughness  of  your  school's 
methods. 

With   best   wishes   for  its  continued   success, 
I  am 

Most  sincerely, 

Cornelia  P.  Jeeman. 


Mr.  Upshaw: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
My  son  James  attended  Dr.  Hughes's  School 
during  the  session  1920-1921.  The  previous  year 
he  attended  High  School  and  seemed  to  make 
only  moderate  advancement  in  his  work.  After 
one  year  with  Dr.  Hughes,  James  entered 
Woodberry  Forest  School  where  he  easily  took 
high  rank  in  his  studies,  graduating  third  in 
his  class  and  winning  the  Latin  medal.  Much 
of  his  success  is  attributed  to  the  very  thorough 
and  careful  training  he  received  in  the  school 
of  Dr.  Hughes. 

W.  F.  Upshaw. 


Mrs.  Upshaw: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
My  son  attended  Dr.  Hughes's  School  three 
years  ago.  While  he  was  a  student  there  I 
visited  the  school  on  several  occasions.  Not 
only  was  the  instruction  given  most  thorough, 
but  there  was  every  sign  of  the  finest  school 

8 


spirit.  The  boys  were  business-like  and  manly. 
I  was  impressed  with  the  wonderful  moral  in- 
fluence as  well  as  the  thoroughness  of  instruc- 
tion. 

(Mrs.  W.  F.)  Myrtle  Miller  Upshaw. 


Not  less  gratifying  than  the  foregoing  com- 
mendatory estimates  are  those  of  somewhat 
more  recent  patrons. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Z.  M.  Caveness  write  to  the 
Trustees  in  words  of  high  praise: 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  December  3,  1923. 

To   the   Board   of   Trustees   of   Saint  Nicholas 
School : 

It  has  been  our  privilege  to  have  our  son 
William  in  Saint  Nicholas  School  for  the  past 
two  and  a  half  years.  The  work  done  by  him 
in  this  school  under  Dr.  Hughes  and  his  asso- 
ciates has  been  very  gratifying.  In  fact,  we 
do  not  believe  the  training  given  him  could 
have  been  surpassed  in  any  school.  William 
has  not  only  been  drilled  thoroughly  in  the 
fundamentals,  but  he  has  been  taught  true 
Christian  principles,  which  are  very  essential 
in  character  building. 

It  is  with  deep  gratification  that  it  has  been 
our  privilege  to  have  William  directly  under 
the  training  of  Dr.  Hughes,  the  Headmaster 
of  Saint  Nicholas  School,  whose  Christian 
character  is  instilled  in  the  minds  of  the  boys 
by  their  daily  contact;  and  we  feel  that  those 
who  patronize  this  school  will  be  highly  pleased 
with  the  attention  given  their  boys. 
Yours  respectfully, 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Z.  M.  Caveness. 
9 


Mr.  Alfred  Williams  of  Alfred  Williams  & 
Co.,  speaks  of  the  satisfactory  progress  of  his 
own  son  and  of  his  nephews,  the  sons  of  the 
late  Secretary  of  State,  Col.  J.  Bryan  Grimes : 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  3,  1923. 

It  affords  Mrs.  Williams  and  myself  much 
pleasure  to  heartily  endorse  Saint  Nicholas  as 
an  excellent  school.  We  were  highly  pleased 
with  the  progress  of  our  son  while  attending  the 
School,  in  his  studies,  deportment  and  physical 
development.  Also  the  work  and  progress  of 
Bryan  and  Charles  Grimes,  sons  of  the  late 
Col.  J.  Bryan  Grimes,  were  very  gratifying. 

With  continued  success  to  you,  I  am 
Very  truly  yours, 

Alfred  Williams. 


Mr.  Virgil  St.  Cloud,  in  a  letter  to  the  Head- 
master, gives  the  School  warm  commendation: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  3,  1923. 

I  welcome  this  opportunity  of  expressing  my 
satisfaction  with  the  progress  that  Virgil,  Jr., 
made  during  the  two  terms  he  attended  Saint 
Nicholas  School.  He  received  more  real  knowl- 
edge and  information  during  this  time  than  in 
all  his  previous  school  life. 

It  will  always  be  a  pleasure  for  me  to  recom- 
mend Saint  Nicholas  School,  as  I  can  do  so 
unhesitatingly  and  most  conscientiously. 

With  deep  respect,  I  am 

Yours  very  truly, 

V.   St.   Cloud. 


10 


Mr.  J.  E.  O'Doimell  has  also  written  to  the 
Headmaster  as  follows: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  1,  1923. 

I  would  like  to  take  this  opportunity  of  ex- 
pressing my  entire  satisfaction  with  the  result 
of  Hubert's  work  at  Saint  Nicholas  School. 

He  has  made  good  progress,  is  interested  in 
his  studies,  and  is  fond  of  his  instructors. 

It  is  a  pleasure  for  me  to  recommend  Saint 
Nicholas  School. 

We  hope  to  see  it  grow. 

Sincerely  yours, 

J.    E.    O'DONNELL. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  Brown  Shepherd  are  other 
well-satisfied  patrons. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  3,  1923. 
To  the  Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School : 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  express,  for  myself 
and  Mrs.  Shepherd,  our  interest  and  entire 
satisfaction  in  the  work  of  Saint  Nicholas 
School.  The  thorough  training  and  personal 
supervision  given  to  our  son,  now  a  pupil  of 
this  institution,  has  won  our  sincere  endorse- 
ment. 

We  feel  the  influence  and  instruction  of  Dr. 
Hughes  and  his  assistants  to  be  a  very  real 
opportunity  for  a  boy's  best  mental  and  moral 
development. 

Sincerely  yours, 

S.  Brown  Shepherd. 


11 


And  Associate  Justice  Adams  expresses  his 
approval. 

During  the  last  three  terms  I  have  been  a 
patron  of  the  Saint  Nicholas  School.  The 
Headmaster,  Rev.  N.  Collin  Hughes,  is  assisted 
by  an  efficient  corps  of  instructors.  I  regard 
the  discipline,  the  instruction,  the  moral  tone, 
and  the  opportunity  for  physical  culture  such 
as  to  meet  the  demands  of  an  excellent  prepara- 
tory school. 

W.  J.  Adams. 


This  endorsement,  given  by  Mrs.  Thos.  Ham- 
lin Briggs,  is  in  strong  terms: 

"Wildek's  Grove,"  Raleigh,  N.  C. 
To  the  Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School : 

Our  boy  has  shown  such  marked  development 
mentally  and  spiritually  that  I  feel  words  are 
inadequate  to  express  our  appreciation  of  Saint 
Nicholas.  Character-building  is  impossible  in 
the  crowded  high  schools,  and  is  so  important 
in  the  lives  of  the  young  boys  of  the  present 
day.  That,  with  the  sound,  sensible  instruc- 
tion they  receive  at  Saint  Nicholas,  puts  the 
School  in  a  class  by  itself,  and  many  parents 
out  of  the  city  would  be  so  happy  to  know  of 
its  existence,  for  it  would  solve  many  a 
mother's  problem  concerning  her  boy. 

My  hearty  prayers  and  cooperation  always  for 
Saint  Nicholas. 

Cordially  yours, 

Bessie  W.  S.  Briggs. 

Friday,  December  7,  1923. 


Prominent  gentlemen,  who  have  just  entered 
their  sons  during  the  current  term,  seem  al- 
ready highly  pleased  with  the  work  and  influ- 
ence of  the  School. 

12 


Mr.  Wm.  B.  Snow  writes  to  the  Board  of 
Trustees  this  effective  letter: 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  6,  1923. 

To  the  Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School: 

I  want  you  to  know  how  greatly  my  son  has 
been  benefited  by  Saint  Nicholas  School  and, 
at  the  same  time,  how  gratified  his  parents  are 
at  his  progress  and  the  interest  which  he  takes 
in  his  studies  and  in  all  the  courses  prescribed 
in  the  curriculum  of  the  School. 

My  boy  had  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Raleigh  and  had  reached  the  grade  of  Sopho- 
more in  the  High  School  when  he  entered  Saint 
Nicholas.  Although  endowed  with  a  fine  mind 
and  possessed  of  ambition  to  succeed  in  his 
classes,  and  in  spite  of  his  conscientious  efforts 
to  acquire  the  "summum  bonnm"  of  his  educa- 
tional opportunities,  he  and  his  parents  were 
aware  of  the  fact  that  his  efforts  were  being 
wasted.  The  necessity  for  a  change  in  the  sys- 
tem or  method  of  instruction  being  apparent,  it 
was  decided  that  the  remedy  lay  in  the  private 
school.  Upon  investigation  we  found  that  the 
methods  and  system  in  use  at  Saint  Nicholas 
were  well  adapted  to  the  needs  which  we  had 
found  to  exist  in  the  public  schools. 

The  results  have  amply  justified  our  action, 
and  our  son  is  happy  in  his  work  because  he 
finds  his  efforts  worth  while.  He  has  learned, 
for  the  first  time,  the  true  rewards  of  con- 
scientious study  and  mental  application.  The 
opportunities  for  athletic  training  and  develop- 
ment in  football  and  the  other  athletic  games 
and  sports  under  a  competent  coach  are  espe- 
cially attractive  to  him,  and  he  has  already 
shown  marked  advancement  and  improvement 
in  his  studies.  Saint  Nicholas  will  occupy  a 
commanding  position  among  the  schools  of  the 

13 


State  when  the  high  standards  of  its  work  are 
understood  and  appreciated  by  parents  who  are 
interested  in  the  mental  and  moral  training  of 
their  sons. 

Very  respectfully, 

Wm.  B.  Snow. 


Mr.  Paul  A.  Tillery,  vice-president  of  the 
Carolina  Power  and  Light  Company,  in  writing 
to  the  Headmaster,  expresses  regret  that  he 
did  not  send  his  son  to  the  School  earlier. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  3,  1923. 

I  wish  you  to  know  that  I  have  been  much 
pleased  by  the  progress  of  my  son  Paul  during 
the  short  time  he  has  attended  Saint  Nicholas. 
I  have  been  particularly  gratified  that  you  have 
been  able  to  greatly  increase  his  interest  in  his 
school  work  and  his  ambition  to  do  well,  both  in 
his  studies  and  physical  training. 

Paul  is  showing  a  greater  liking  for  school 
work  than  at  any  time  heretofore  and  I  feel 
that  the  atmosphere  of  the  School  must  be  re- 
sponsible for  this. 

I  am  sorry  I  did  not  send  him  to  you  a  year 
earlier. 

With  best  wishes. 

Sincerely  yours, 

P.  A.  Tillery. 


General  Albert  L.  Cox  is  so  well  pleased  that 
he  would  like  to  enter  another  son.     He  says : 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
I  wish   to  take  occasion  to   tell  you  of  the 
great  satisfaction  I  have  had  with  the  progress 
that    my    son    William    is    making    at    Saint 

14 


Nicholas  School.  As  respects  scholarship,  moral 
environment  and  well-directed  physical  instruc- 
tion, I  think  the  city  is  to  be  congratulated  upon 
having  in  its  midst  such  a  school  as  Saint 
Nicholas'  is.  I  only  wish  that  my  younger 
son  were  old  enough  and  high  enough  advanced 
to  obtain  the  benefits  of  this  School. 
Wishing  you  the  greatest  of  success,  I  am 
Faithfully  yours, 

Albert  L.  Cox. 


In  the  following  letter  to  the  Trustees,  Mr. 
H.  M.  London  expresses  his  appreciation. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  December  4,  1923. 
To  the  Trustees  of  Saint  Nicholas  School : 

I  wish  to  express  to  you  my  personal  appre- 
ciation of  the  splendid  instruction  which  my 
son  has  received  at  Saint  Nicholas  School  dur- 
ing the  term  just  ending.  Aside  from  the  in- 
dividual attention  which  was  given,  I  feel  that 
the  wholesome  moral  atmosphere  surrounding 
the  School  has  been  most  invaluable.  The 
Headmaster  and  his  associates  have  been  un- 
tiring in  their  efforts  to  lay  the  foundations 
of  a  broad  and  thorough  education  of  the  boys 
intrusted  to  them.  I  am  well  pleased  with  the 
School. 

Respectfully, 

Henry  M.  London. 


Supported  by  such  cordial  endorsements  of 
men  and  women  so  well  known,  so  responsible, 
and  so  competent  to  judge,  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees feel  that  they  can,  with  full  confidence, 
commend  to  parents,  concerned  for  the  educa- 
tion of  their  children,  the  high  quality  of  train- 
ing at  Saint  Nicholas  School. 

15 


